February 2, 2017-As of 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2017, football coach Garin Higgins has announced the signing of 21 high school players and three mid year transfers to attend Emporia State and play football for the Hornets.

The list includes 12 Kansas natives, seven from Oklahoma, and two each from Missouri, Texas and Illinois. The Hornets picked up five offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four linebackers, three defensive backs, four receivers, two running backs, one quarterback and a kicker.  Five of the signees have been selected to play in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

The Emporia State football program was ranked in the top ten of the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll for the second straight year as they finished #10 in the final poll of the 2016 season. It is the fourth time in the last five years the Hornets have been ranked in the final AFCA Top 25.

Emporia State was 11-2 on the season with both losses coming to national champion Northwest Missouri around a school record 11 game in season winning streak.

The Hornets are the first MIAA team other than Northwest Missouri to finish the season ranked in the top ten nationally in successive seasons since the 2003-04 seasons. Emporia State joins Northwest Missouri and Shepherd as the only teams that have been in the final top ten the last two seasons and ranked in at least four of the last five final top 25 polls.

Over the last two years the Hornets are 22-5 with four of the losses to the undefeated national champions. Emporia State is set to return 12 starters, seven on offense and five on defense, along with all of their specialists next year.  Of the four Super Region-3 teams in the final top ten, Garin Higgins is the only head coach returning to his team in 2017.

The Hornets will be hosting a Signing Party on Thursday, Feb. 2 at Coaches Bar & Grill.  The evening will start with a social at 6:30 and the formal program will begin at 7:00 p.m.

High School Signees

Jakob Barnes • DT • 6'3 • 310
Nowata, Okla. • Nowata HS
Area defensive MVP…Oklahoma Class 2A All-Star…had 49 tackles and six sacks for Nowata HS.
Higgins: A big multiple sport athlete that has unbelievable athleticism for his size.  He has great length and strength that has the ability to be a key cog on the DL for years to come.  He has the ability to set the point of the defense and give us a big time presence in the middle of our DL. Jakob is a young man that we recruited from start to finish that believed in the Emporia State Football program.
Barnes Highlights
 
Anthony Burton • DE • 6'3 • 240
Olympia Fields, Ill. • Rich Central HS
All-conference performer and three year starter…65 tackles with 12.5 TFL, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and a touchdown…was a team captain for Rich Central HS outside Chicago.
Higgins: "At 6'3, Anthony has a 6'11 inch wing span.  He has big time play making ability as he played both along the front and OLB in high school.  He's a three-year starter in high school  that can bring big time production and athleticism to our defense.  This young man has the ability to be a complete game changer in the MIAA."
Burton Highlights
 
Joshua Carrethers • LB • 6'1 • 204
Moore, Okla. • Moore HS
Honorable Mention All-OKC by VYPE...71 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two blocked punts...four year letter winner for Moore HS.
Higgins: "Joshua is a player who brings a lot of athleticism to the Linebacker Position. He's natural coming off the edge and even though he doesn't show it a lot in his film, will be comfortable playing in space. He is a good tackler, plays with High Effort, and will fit in really well with our defense."
Carrethers Highlights
 
Dalton Cowan • QB • 6'3 • 185
Topeka, Kan. • Seaman HS
First-team All Class 5A…first-team All-Centennial League…Topeka Offensive Player of the Year…Gridiron Top 25 prospect in Kansas…passed for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 589 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground for Seaman HS…will be a Kansas Shrine Bowl participant…father Jeff Cowan played for the Hornets.
Higgins: "Dalton possesses an extremely strong arm and is an extremely talented athlete.  Before committing to Emporia State he received interest from a number of Division 1 programs and is listed on the Kansas Gridiron Top 25 prospect list.  He has displayed great poise and leadership throughout his career, and we are excited about his future with Emporia State."
Cowan Highlights
 
Bryce Crouch • WR • 5'9 • 160
Emporia, Kan. • Emporia HS
Two-time honorable mention  all-state...second team All-Centennial League...Will be a Kansas Shrine Bowl participant.

Sam Dobbins • K • 5'11 • 180
Emporia, Kan. • Emporia HS
Second-team All-Centennial League kicker...honorable mention All-State.

Clayton Fowler • RB • 5'8 • 175
Hartford, Kan. • Hartford HS
Three-time first-team All-Lyon County League...First-team All-State in football and basketball...will be a Kansas Shrine Bowl participant.

Kelin Gordon • CB • 6'0 • 177
Oklahoma City, Okla. • Del City HS
District 5A-1 defensive back of the year...All-District and All-Big City selection...44 tackles, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery...member of Del City HS state championship 4x100m relay team.
Higgins: "Kelin is a very fast explosive playmaker that had the responsibility of matching up with the opponents top WR. Kelin has a 6' 8" wingspan with top end speed. He has the athletic ability and length to be a true lock-down corner in the MIAA. Kelin tore his ACL in game 3 of 2015. He recovered in time to win gold in the Oklahoma State Track meet in the 4 x 100. His track role will increase this spring now that he is 100% healthy. He will also run track for Emporia State."
Gordon Highlights
 
Dawson Hammes • LB • 6'0 • 190
Rossville, Kan. • Rossville HS
All-State and Top 33 selection in the state of Kansas…first team All-Mid-East League…172 tackles, eight tackles for loss with six sacks and three pass deflections…also rushed for 589 yards and 14 touchdowns…three-time state champion for Rossville HS and will be a Kansas Shrine bowl participant…father Derick Hammes played for the Hornets.
Higgins: "Dawson is a player that we identified early in the recruiting process and offered in the Summer. He is a winner (3 Time State Champion), coach's son, and a flat out tough football player. He runs well, Strikes when he tackles & has a high motor. He is also a 3 Sport Athlete, so his ceiling is not even close to being touched. The more I watch him, the more he reminds me of Jason Tetuan & Kole Schankie."
Hammes Highlights
 
Cade Harelson • LB • 6'4 • 195
Davenport, Okla. • Davenport HS
All-Little City First team selection and all-state honoree…Class B-7 District MVP…four sport athlete for Davenport HS.
Higgins: "Cade is another Start to Finish Guy, we identified him in the Spring and offered him before the summer hit. He has the potential to be a difference maker for us on defense because of how much athleticism & play making ability he brings to the table for being 6'4 200. He is a 4 Sport Athlete for Davenport HS in Oklahoma and hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential."
Harelson Highlights
 
Matt Johnson • LB • 6'2 • 207
Kansas City, Mo. • O'Hara HS
All-confernece and all-district performer...had 114 tackles and two interceptions as linebacker...also passed for 2500 yards as a quarterback.

Cody Ladson • S • 6' 1 • 200      
Topeka, Kan. • Washburn Rural HS
First-team All-Centennial League and Class 6A Honorable Mention All-State...103 tackles, three interceptions with a touchdown and one kick return touchdown...Washburn Rural HS Special Teams Player of the Year.
Higgins: "The most impressive thing to me about Cody is his ability to impact that game in so many different ways. He is a hard hitting safety that has the athletic ability to cover some ground and is very instinctive with the ball in the air. He also made a positive impact in the return game being named Special Teams Player of the Year. Cody is very athletic and I look forward to getting him in our system and letting him flourish at either safety position."
Ladson Highlights
 
Daegan Manley • OL • 6' 5 • 350                       
Choctaw, Okla. • Choctaw HS
First-team All-Big Ten conference and district lineman of the year for Choctaw HS.
Higgins: "Daegan is a big man with an even bigger upside. His best football is definitely in front of him. He is a kid that we had been recruiting through summer, came to our summer camp, came on a game day visit, and committed before he was on an official visit. He has wanted to be a Hornet since we worked together at camp. He is a very strong kid who can develop into a very good OL for Emporia State. I am very excited about what he will bring to our group up front."
Manley Highlights
 
Trey Moore • RB • 5'10 • 190               
Lawrence, Kan. • Lawrence HS
First-team All-Class 6A and all-area running back…had 1,380 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns for Lawrence HS…will be a Kansas Shrine Bowl participant.
Higgins: "Trey has home run capability, and provides the type of speed to turn every carry into an explosive play.  Along with pure speed, his quickness and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him a perfect fit for our offense.   He has also had great success as a track athlete in the 110m and 300m hurdles."
Moore Highlights
                                                                                                                                         
Trey Morris • WR • 6' 3 • 195               
Cushing, Okla. • Cushing HS
All-District, all-area, and all-state performer…had 35 catches for 873 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior and carried the ball 36 times for 365 yards and two touchdowns…played in Blue-Grey HS All-American Bowl at the Oakland Coliseum…has a 4.0 GPA and is ranked #1 in his class at Cushing HS.
Higgins: "Trey has the ability to be a game changer with the ball in his hands.  He provides a big physical presence on the outside, and can be a difference maker in the return game.  Trey appeared in the Blue Grey All-Star game in California and also received an offer from the Air Force Academy before committing to be a Hornet."
Morris Highlights
                                                                                                      
Hayden Reed • OL • 6' 4 • 300             
Celina, Texas • Celina HS
First-team All-District performer on the offensive line for Celina HS.
Higgins: "Hayden comes from one of the best high school football programs in the state of Texas. He knows what it takes to be in a winning football program and he is definitely willing to put in the work. He is another guy that we started recruiting in the summer, came to our summer camp, came on a game day visit, and was on our first official visit in December. He called the first week of January and was the first OL in this class to commit. He is a very solid player across the board and we think he will be able to add value to our offensive line in his first couple of years at Emporia State. He has a great understanding of the game and has been coached very well in high school."
Reed Highlights
                                                                                                                                            
Stetsyn Roberts • OL • 6' 5 • 295                     
Wamego, Kan. • Wamego HS
Second-team All-North Central Kansas League offensive lineman for Wamego HS.
Higgins: "Stetsyn is a local guy and one of the OLs in Kansas that we recruited throughout the entire process. He came to our summer camp and showed that he has a lot of potential and good size to be an OL in this conference. He improved significantly from his junior season to his senior season of high school. That improvement can be attributed to his strong work ethic. I have never seen a kids face light up like Stetsyn's did when Coach Nardo and I offered him a scholarship to come to Emporia State. He loves the Hornets and we are excited to get him in our program."
Roberts Highlights
 
Denton Sanchez • OL • 6'3 • 296
Yukon, Okla. • Yukon HS
Two-time all-district and all-conference performer …was the 2016-17 Yukon All-Player Trophy recipient.
Higgins: "Denton was the last guy that we added to our 2017 OL class and a very exciting finish to a great class. He was the leader of his offensive line in high school and very versatile; he played both guard and tackle during his senior season on both sides of the line. He has developed a lot from his junior to senior season and still has a lot of potential to continue to grow as a football player. He was one of the hardest workers in the weight room during high school and never missed a team activity. He is the type of guy we want in our program. He has really good feet for an offensive lineman and is another guy where his best football is still ahead of him. Denton and his family are all about Emporia State and we are very excited to get him in our program."
Sanchez Highlights
 
Hawkens Taylor • DE • 6' 2 • 240                    
Marcus, Texas • Marcus HS
First-team All-District 6-6A at defensive tackle as a senior after earning first-team All-District 5-6A as a defensive end his junor year…had 37 tackles and seven sacks for Marcus HS.
Higgins: "Hawkens is a very strong, tough minded football player that will bring a versatile style of play to the DL.  He has the athleticism to play DE and the strength to play DT.  He's a player that will have the ability to be a great 6-technique with great instincts against the run. He will be a strong presence in the locker room and a natural leader!"
Taylor Highlights
                                                                                                                                         
Corey Thomas • WR • 5' 10 • 185                    
Topeka, Kan. • Topeka HS
Top 11 All-City in Topeka in 2015…was honorable mention all-state as a junior and senior…had 1034 rushing yards and 996 receiving yards with eight touchdowns as a junior…missed much of his senior season at Topeka HS due to Injury.
Higgins: "Corey is a strong explosive athlete.  He is smooth getting in and out of routes and is extremely strong at reception point.  He is a competitor, who will fight to win every 50/50 ball.  Corey played QB for Topeka, but after seeing him at a number of camps this summer it we were impressed to see how natural of a receiver he was."
Thomas Highlights
                                                                                                      
Miles Wade • DT • 6'3 • 290
Olympia Fields, Ill. • Rich Central HS
Two-time All-Conference performer and three year starter…had 20 solo tackles with ten tackles for loss, five sacks and a forced fumble…was a team captain for Rich Central HS outside Chicago.
Higgins: "Another athletic big man that played both OL/ DL in high school.  This young man plays the game the right way and with an edge!  He's a high energy guy that we look to bring great leadership and enthusiasm everyday.  He has the ability to be a playmaker in the MIAA along the DL."
Wade Highlights
 
TRANSFERS                                                                                                       
Asher Goldston • DB • 6'2 • 200
Lenexa, Kan. • Hutchinson CC
Had 51 tackles with four interceptions and a touchdown for the Blue Dragons…he was an All-Sunflower League kick returner for Shawnee Mission West HS in 2013.
Higgins: "Asher is another long athlete that can cover some ground. He is our prototypical strong safety that can play man coverage on an inside slot using his long arms to his advantage. I expect Asher to make an immediate impact on special teams and defense."
 
Tyler Harris • WR • 6'2 • 185
Andover, Kan. • Hutchinson CC
Had 20 catches for 20 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Dragons…was an all-state and all-metro performer for Andover Cental
HS in 2014…had 37 catches for 980 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.
Higgins: "We are excited to bring Tyler into our program.  We recruited Tyler out of high school, where he had a very successful career for Andover Central.  He is a versatile receiver who was capable of playing all three receiver positions for Hutch.  He is a great addition to our receiving corps and we look forward to watching him compete this spring."                   
 
Marlon McKeithen • OL • 6'5 • 315
Kansas City, Kan. • Ft. Scott CC
Second-team All-Jayhawk performer last season…was an all-conference performer for Wyandotte HS in 2013.
Higgins: "Marlon will be a very solid addition to our team. Originally from Kansas City, Kansas and are excited to keep him close to home. He's a, versatile and athletic lineman who can play tackle or guard. He is a guy we look at to help in his first year at ESU."